In the heart of nature · 10 years creating transformative experiences
In the 13th century, Casa Marterena Etxea was built as a fortress to defend the Kingdom of Navarre. Today, the moat and drawbridge are gone, replaced by the silent invitation of the Irati Forest.
As the 15th generation to tend this land, we offer more than a retreat; we offer continuity. In a world that feels fragmented and frantic, step into a story that has remained unbroken for eight centuries. Here, your exhaustion meets the eternal.
Why Casa Marterena?
- The Irati Connection: Breathe beside the second-largest beech forest in Europe.
- The Power of Lineage: Managed by a family with 40 years of Sadhana and academic roots in Psychology.
- Somatic Restoration: Hatha, Yin, and Yoga Nidra designed to regulate a stressed nervous system.
- Ancestral Silence: Thick stone walls and 100m² of light-filled Shala to facilitate deep inner work.
The Architecture of Rest
We have preserved the medieval soul of the estate. From the Torre Palomar (the stone dovecote tower) to the traditional walnut boat beds of the main house, every corner is designed for “Deep Sleep” hygiene.
- Casa Marterena: Heritage double rooms with orchard views.
- Casa Carpintero: Private sanctuaries for those seeking solitary reflection.
- The Yoga Shala: A 100m² cathedral of glass and wood.
Nourishment: The Alchemy of Ayurveda
We don’t just serve food; we serve vitality. Our organic, vegetarian menu is designed to lighten the cognitive load and heal the gut-brain axis.
- Farm-to-Table: Ingredients from our own organic garden and local Pyrenean producers.
- Mindful Eating: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free options to ensure your practice is never hindered by inflammation.
Stop Managing Your Stress. Start Remembering Yourself.
If your life has become a series of calendar entries, it is time to return to the center.
Practical Tools to carry this peace back to your “real” life.
Deeply Restore your nervous system.
Regain Perspective through 800 years of silence.
What Is a Yoga and meditation Retreat at Casa Marterena Like?
Our retreats are designed to support lasting inner change in an environment of silence, authenticity, and natural beauty.
Each retreat includes:
- Hatha Yoga with Yin and Yoga Nidra influences
- Guided and silent meditation
- Ayurvedic-inspired vegetarian cuisine
- Nature immersion and genuine disconnection
Life here is simple and intentional. That simplicity allows something essential to happen: reconnection.
Ayurvedic Vegetarian Cuisine
Our cuisine is vegetarian and inspired by Ayurvedic principles—light, nourishing, and energizing.
We prioritize:
- Seasonal ingredients
- Local produce
- Vegetables from our organic garden
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free meals
Light breakfast before practice.
Abundant lunch with Chai Masala tea.
Light evening dinner.
Food here supports both body and inner process.
(Please inform us of any allergies before booking.)
Yoga in the Mountains
Our yoga practice is slow, grounded Hatha Yoga with Yin and Yoga Nidra elements.
Postures are synchronized with breath and adapted to three levels, making the practice accessible regardless of previous experience.
This is not about performance.
It is about awareness.
Meditation in the Forest
Meditation is at the heart of our retreats.
Through breath awareness and present-moment attention, participants experience reduced stress, emotional clarity, and deep relaxation—benefits supported by extensive research.
Beyond relaxation, many discover something quieter and more powerful: inner coherence.
Stop Imagining Peace. Experience It.
If you are at a turning point, seeking clarity or needing to truly disconnect, this may be your place.
At Casa Marterena, you:
- Rest deeply
- Restore energy
- Regain perspective
- Leave with practical tools for daily life
Have questions? We’re happy to help.
Have a question? We’re here to help.
If you’d like more details or want to know whether this retreat is right for you, send us a message.
We’ll personally guide you and answer any questions you may have.